Everton and Jack Grealish Shine in Historic Debut at New Stadium

Blue smoke drifted across the River Mersey as Everton walked out for their first-ever Premier League match at the breathtaking Hill Dickinson Stadium. It was not just a football game, but the opening of a brand-new era for a club that has long struggled both financially and on the pitch. After 133 years at Goodison Park, this was a day packed with emotion, nostalgia, and fresh hope.

Supporters had gathered hours before kick-off, marching from the Liver Birds at Pier Head to the stadium, filling the streets with chants and banners. The occasion was monumental — a chance for Everton to finally put years of inconsistency behind them and start writing a new chapter. The team did not disappoint, beating Brighton 2-0 in front of more than 50,000 passionate fans. And at the center of it all was Jack Grealish, a player rediscovering himself after years of fading into the shadows at Manchester City.

Grealish’s Revival in Everton Blue

At Manchester City, Grealish’s career had stalled. Despite his obvious talent, he often found himself on the margins of Pep Guardiola’s star-studded squad, making only seven league starts last season. For a player once regarded as one of England’s brightest attacking forces, it felt like he was slipping away. But Everton offered him a second chance — and he seized it instantly.

Grealish looked liberated in his debut, carrying the ball with confidence, taking on defenders, and playing with a freedom that had been missing in recent years. The fans responded immediately, greeting every touch with roars of encouragement. Within 23 minutes, he had already repaid their faith. Driving past Brighton’s Mats Wieffer, Grealish drilled a low cross into the box where Iliman Ndiaye finished smartly. The stadium erupted, and Grealish celebrated with visible relief and passion.

He wasn’t finished. Just before the hour mark, Grealish set up Everton’s second, laying the ball off to James Garner, who fired home from distance. In less than an hour, he had matched his assist tally from two entire seasons at Manchester City. He even could have had a third assist late on, putting a chance on a plate for Dwight McNeil, who misfired in front of goal.

Yet what impressed most was not just the creativity. Grealish worked tirelessly off the ball, winning possession seven times — the most of any Everton player — and putting in tackles to help his team maintain control. It was a complete performance, one that silenced critics who had accused him of being too lightweight or inconsistent.

A Perfect Start for Everton and Moyes

For Everton manager David Moyes, back for a second spell in charge, the day felt like destiny. His team had lost their opening fixture at Leeds, but this was different. At their new home, Everton looked energized, organized, and more importantly, dangerous in attack.

Moyes praised Grealish after the match, calling him exactly the kind of player the club needed to raise their quality. Fans who had feared the club’s financial struggles would limit ambition were reassured by both the performance and the result. Everton not only won, but did so with a style that suggested better days could lie ahead.

For Grealish, the day was almost cathartic. Speaking after the game, he admitted that he finally felt free again, able to play with risk and creativity rather than cautiously recycling possession. He dedicated the performance to the fans, saying the energy they created gave him the push to perform at his best.

The symbolism was powerful. Everton’s new home, sparkling and full of promise, became the stage for a player’s personal rebirth. Both club and player have faced criticism and doubts in recent years, but on this historic afternoon, they came together to deliver a performance that felt like the start of something new.

It was only one game, only one victory — but for Everton and Jack Grealish, it could be the spark that ignites an entire season and perhaps even a new era.